On Facebook

Chapter 146Those of the Jews that he called Assideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish war and are seditious, and will not let the rest be in peace.7Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors' honour, I mean the high priesthood, am now come hither:8First, verily for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the good of mine own countrymen: for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforersaid.9Wherefore, O king, seeing knowest all these things, be careful for the country, and our nation, which is pressed on every side, according to the clemency that thou readily shewest unto all.10For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.11This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king's friends, being maliciously set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius.12And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor over Judea, he sent him forth,13Commanding him to slay Judas, and to scatter them that were with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple.14Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities ot the Jews to be their welfare.15Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the heathen were up against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him that had established his people for ever, and who always helpeth his portion with manifestation of his presence.16So at the commandment of the captain they removed straightways from thence, and came near unto them at the town of Dessau.17Now Simon, Judas' brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silence of his enemies.18Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas, and the courageousness that they had to fight for their country, durst not try the matter by the sword.19Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace.20So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented to the covenants,21And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and stools were set for either of them,22Ludas placed armed men ready in convenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made a peaceable conference.23Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent away the people that came flocking unto him.24And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for he love the man from his heart

2 Maccabees is, in the Christian tradition, a deuterocanonical book of the Bible, which focuses on the Jews' revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and concludes with the defeat of the Syrian general Nicanor in 161 BC by Judas Maccabeus, the hero of the work. Unlike 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees was written in Koine Greek, probably in Alexandria, Egypt, c 124 BC. It presents a revised version of the historical events recounted in the first seven chapters of 1 Maccabees, adding material from the Pharisaic tradition, including prayer for the dead and a resurrection on Judgment Day.